Man convicted of assaulting parking officer

Paul Royle (50) of Buttermere Close, Melton Mowbray, pleaded guilty to assault by beating after grabbing a Harborough District Council parking officer in a car park in Melton Mowbray in February.

Royle had parked in a disabled bay, despite having no disabled badge on display. When spoken to by the parking officer, Royle became verbally abusive and grabbed the victim. 

Royle appeared at at Leicester Magistrates’ Court on 5 April 2018 and was given a conditional discharge for six months and ordered to pay £85 costs with a further £20 Victim First surcharge.

Councillor Jonathan Bateman, Harborough District Council’s portfolio holder for Regulatory Services said: “This sends out a strong message that we will not tolerate any verbal or physical attack on our employees.  Our officer was simply carrying out their duty as a council employee and I am pleased this case has resulted in a successful prosecution.”